Refuge in Buddhism

Taking Refuge makes the difference between Buddhists and non-Buddhists.

One accepts the example of the Buddha as the perfect, enlightened teacher, the Dharma as the guidebook on the spiritual path, and the Sangha as the supporting spiritual community. These three are also known as the Three Jewels.

It is not really necessary to take formal refuge in front of a teacher, although it may help one to remember the choice of direction in life.

Contents

History

In pre-Buddhist India, going for refuge meant proclaiming one’s allegiance to a patron — a powerful person or god — submitting to the patron’s directives in hopes of receiving protection from danger in return. In the early years of the Buddha’s teaching career, his new followers adopted this custom to express their allegiance to the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha ..

Vows

Often, one who takes refuge will make vows as well, typically vows to adhere to the Five Precepts (paĆ±ca-sila). Laypeople generally undertake at least one of the five. The Five Precepts are not given in the form of commands such as «thou shalt not ..», but rather are promises to oneself: «I will (try) ..»

In some schools of Buddhism, serious lay people or aspiring monks take an additional three to five ethical precepts, and some of the five precepts are strengthened. For example, the precept pertaining to sexual misconduct becomes a precept of celibacy.

— make special offerings on two special days of the year: the 15th of 4th lunar month (around May), to celebrate birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha, and on the 4th of 6th lunar month (around July) to celebrate the first turning of the wheel — or the first teachings of the Buddha on the Four Noble Truths in Sarnath.

Highest Buddhist scope is also sometimes included, which is taking refuge to achieve Buddhahood in this life (using Buddhist Tantra techniques)

Another distinction between different levels of Going for Refuge, first given by Sangharakshita in his Going for Refuge is:

Ethnic Going for Refuge, when one is born into a Buddhist culture and practice is a matter more of social conditioning than personal commitment.

Effective Going for Refuge, when one has taken the conscious decision to commit oneself to the Three Jewels.

Real Going for Refuge, when the Three Fetters of Conditioned Arising has been broken and Stream Entry has been attained.

Absolute Going for Refuge, which corresponds with the attainment of Enlightenment.

The Dhammapada on Refuge

Driven only by fear, do men go for refuge to many places — to hills, woods, groves, trees and shrines.

Such, indeed, is no safe refuge; such is not the refuge supreme. Not by resorting to such a refuge is one released from all suffering.

He who has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Teaching and his Order, penetrates with transcendental wisdom the Four Noble Truths — suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path leading to the cessation of suffering.

This indeed is the safe refuge, this the refuge supreme. Having gone to such a refuge, one is released from all suffering.